For exceptional students registered full-time in the MSc program, a conversion into the PhD program is possible before completion of the MSc degree. Progress of MSc students will be reviewed by their advisory committee to determine if transfer to the PhD program is appropriate.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
Course topic requirements are tailored to meet the needs and backgrounds of individual students. Accelerated PhD students will have completed at least two one-term graduate courses (or equivalent) as MSc students and two additional one-term graduate courses will be required to complete the PhD. Thus, a total of four graduate level courses must be completed to meet the Accelerated PhD course requirements. Three of the four courses must be selected from the Vision Science Core Course Streams, with at least one course from Core Stream A – Scientific Methods (Course Numbers OPTOM 650 - 669) and at least one course from Core Stream B – Vision Science (Course Numbers OPTOM 670 - 689). Normally only one course may be an independent study course (OPTOM 608/628).
Milestones
PhD Seminar Requirements
All Vision Science graduate students in the PhD program must present at least two talks on their current research during their degree program as well as attend a minimum of 10 research seminars and a one day research symposium throughout each year of enrolment. Normally, the presentation and symposium requirements can be fulfilled through the Annual Graduate Student Conference sponsored by the Graduate Studies Office. The seminar requirement can be fulfilled by attending seminars held at the School. Consideration will be given (in special cases to attend an alternate symposium if it is not possible to attend the UW Annual Graduate Student Conference.
Thesis Proposal
By the end of their 5th term of enrollment in the Vision Science program students must write a formal proposal and make a formal presentation of their proposed PhD thesis research to their advisory committee.
Comprehensive Examination
The Comprehensive Examination Milestone will be considered complete when students have successfully completed their Acceleration Qualifying Examination.
Thesis
A primary requirement for the awarding of the PhD is the successful completion and defense of a thesis that contributes to knowledge about some aspect of vision and demonstrates proficiency in original and independent research.
Acceptance into the Accelerated PhD
The Accelerated PhD allows students registered full-time in the MSc program to transfer directly into the PhD program without completing the MSc degree. An MSc student can request the acceleration up to 3 full-time terms after initial registration. A request to accelerate can only be made once. The Supervisor and Advisory Committee will consider whether the request for acceleration to PhD is appropriate and desirable. Funding must be available to support a PhD thesis project.
The student must show the potential for independent research necessary to complete a PhD. The Supervisor & Committee must support the request and the criteria that will be used to assess that potential for accelerated PhD are:
1. A preliminary research proposal that indicates the scope for extension of the work to the PhD level that is acceptable to the committee.
2. A paper in submission (written in English) to a refereed journal in which the Graduate Student has fulfilled a role as first or second author. The term “first or second author” infers that the Graduate Student’s contribution to the writing of the paper was substantial as assessed by the Supervisor and Advisory Committee. A patent submission by the student as first or second holder would also be an appropriate criterion to use for acceleration.
3. Completion of at least two graduate level courses and a grade of at least 80% in each.
If the Supervisor and Advisory Committee support the request to proceed, students will go forward for the Acceleration Qualifying Examination (AQE). The AQE is conducted by the Committee and Chaired by a Graduate Officer or designate. The AQE is an oral examination to demonstrate a broad knowledge in the field of Vision Science. The particulars of the exam will be specified by the Supervisor and the Advisory Committee. In order to proceed to the Accelerated PhD program, students must achieve an unconditional pass from all members of the Committee in their first attempt at the AQE. If this standard is not met, the request to accelerate to the PhD program will be declined. In this instance, students may continue their studies for the MSc degree. All components of the Acceleration process must be completed no later than the end of the 4th term of enrolment.
Interdisciplinary Study
Some students may wish to do interdisciplinary Doctoral or Master's work with the School of Optometry and another department. Some faculty of the School of Optometry are cross-appointed within the University. These appointments are intended to promote interdisciplinary teaching and research. A variety of approaches ranging from molecular and photochemical through physiological/neurophysiological and ecological/environmental are encouraged. Other interdisciplinary programs may also be approved and additional information may be found in this calendar under Organization of Graduate Studies - Degree Programs Offered.